Over this weekend, I had the opportunity to go to TEDx Roseville. During this event, there were 16 different speakers, each sharing unique ideas with the attendees. While their talks covered various topics, one recurring theme was the idea and importance of having a growth mindset.
There are two types of mindsets, as Carol Dweck explains in her book Mindset. The first is a fixed mindset, which believes that all skills are set in stone. The second is a growth mindset, which believes in the ability to develop and grow skills even without prior proficiency.
A way to determine your mindset is by examining how you respond to failure. If you give up after trying something new and failing, thinking, “I’m not good at this; I’ll never do it again,” then you have a fixed mindset. This suggests that you believe your skills are fixed and that the failed task is not one of your abilities. Conversely, if you respond to failure by saying, “That was challenging, but I have a lot to learn. I’ll do better next time,” it indicates a growth mindset. You acknowledge that you aren’t skilled in that area yet, but you aspire to improve and develop that skill.
Having a growth mindset and pursuing personal growth is not only a valuable leadership principle but also a biblical one. In Philippians 1:6, the apostle Paul writes, “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (NLT). As we are called to grow in our faith throughout our lives, we are also called to develop our leadership skills.
Unfortunately, cultivating a growth mindset and enhancing our skills doesn’t happen overnight. We can’t instantly double our abilities like the Super Mario Bros. with a power mushroom. Therefore, we need to take a different approach.
Let’s explore three ways we can foster a growth mindset and develop our personal skills:
- Learn everything you can: If there’s a skill you want to grow in, invest time in learning all you can about it. Watch online videos, observe different people’s techniques, or read books on the subject. A recommended read is Talk Like TED.
- Find an expert: Seek out someone in your community who excels in the skill you wish to develop. Offer to treat them to coffee and inquire about their expertise in that area.
- Practice, practice, practice: As the saying goes, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.” To improve in your chosen skill, actively look for opportunities to practice, whether at work, church, or other organizations you’re involved in. If nothing else, set up your iPhone like I’m doing right now and hit record to practice public speaking.
Think about it: Do you believe you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? Additionally, what is something you personally want to develop? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll see you there.
Watch the accompanying video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/K9ZivC01WYI
Nick Chellsen 